Coin metal-processing device and method of controlling the device

Abstract

A coin metal processing device and a method of controlling the device, where whether or not a metal-coin is acceptable and value information etc. for the metal-coin can be set, and where both ordinary coins and metal-coins cam be used. A setting portion ( 5 ) is operated to shift a coin metal processing device ( 1 ) to a metal-coin setting mode, coins with the value equivalent to a set value are dropped in, and the value of coins identified is memorized in a memory ( 9 ). A predetermined number of coins are collected at any time by a characteristics data collecting portion ( 6 ) and stored in a characteristics data-storing portion ( 7 ). A characteristics data analyzing portion ( 8 ) analyzes whether or not the characteristics data overlap with characteristics data of each coin and further analyzes whether or not variations of the characteristics data are within a specified value. A control portion ( 2 ) sets reception of the metal-coins based on the result of the analysis. When the reception of the metal-coins is permitted, the value memorized in the memory is set as a set value.

1 . A coin metal processing device which is incorporated in an automatic vending machine and performs desired processing by receiving coins and coin-like metal pieces that are inserted into the coin metal processing device, comprising: 
 metal setting means for shifting the coin metal processing device to a mode that performs setting to permit reception of the coin-like metal pieces;    characteristic detecting means for detecting respective characteristics of a predetermined number of coin-like metal pieces inserted continuously after the metal setting means is operated;    characteristic collecting means for collecting the characteristics of the coin-like metal pieces detected by the characteristic detecting means;    metal piece reception setting means for performing setting so that the coin-like metal pieces can be received in cases where the characteristics of the coin-like metal pieces collected by the characteristic collecting means do not overlap characteristics of receivable coins and variations in the characteristics of the coin-like metal pieces collected by the characteristic collecting means are within specified values; and    deposit signal generating means for generating a predetermined deposit signal when a coin-like metal piece that is set as receivable by the metal reception setting means is received.    
   
   
       2 . The coin metal processing device according to  claim 1 , wherein the metal setting means is provided in correspondence with type of a receivable coin, and 
 the deposit signal generating means generates a deposit signal of a type that corresponds with the operated metal setting means.    
   
   
       3 . The coin metal processing device according to  claim 2 , wherein the metal setting means comprises a reception accuracy switching switch that is provided in correspondence with a type of a receivable coin.  
   
   
       4 . The coin metal processing device according to  claim 1 , further comprising value information storing means for storing and holding value information for at least one inserted coin, wherein the deposit signal generating means generates a deposit signal that corresponds with value information stored and held by the value information storing means.  
   
   
       5 . The coin metal processing device according to  claim 4 , wherein the metal setting means is operated after a coin of a predetermined value is inserted, and 
 the deposit signal generating means generates a deposit signal that corresponds with value information on the coin of the predetermined value inserted before the metal setting means is operated.    
   
   
       6 . The coin metal processing device according to  claim 4 , wherein the metal setting means is operated before a coin of a predetermined value is inserted, and 
 the deposit signal generating means generates a deposit signal that corresponds with value information on the coin of the predetermined value that is inserted after the metal setting means is operated.    
   
   
       7 . The coin metal processing device according to  claim 4 , wherein the metal reception setting means performs setting to enable the reception of one coin-like metal piece at the time of one sales operation.  
   
   
       8 . The coin metal processing device according to  claim 4 , wherein the metal reception setting means performs settings to enable the reception of a plurality of coin-like metal pieces at the time of one sales operation.  
   
   
       9 . The coin metal processing device according to  claim 1 , further comprising metal reception setting canceling means for canceling the state where coin-like metal can be received, which is set by the metal reception setting means.  
   
   
       10 . The coin metal processing device according to  claim 9 , wherein the metal reception setting canceling means cancels the state where coin-like metal can be received, which is set by the metal reception setting means, upon detecting a fact that a return lever has been operated for a predetermined time within a predetermined time after the metal setting means is operated.  
   
   
       11 . A method of controlling a coin metal processing device which is incorporated in an automatic vending machine and performs desired processing by receiving coins and coin-like metal pieces that are inserted into the coin metal processing device, comprising the steps of: 
 detecting respective characteristics of a predetermined number of coin-like metal pieces that are inserted continuously after metal setting means, which shifts the coin metal processing device to a mode that performs setting to permit the reception of the coin-like metal pieces, is operated;    collecting characteristics of the coin-like metal pieces thus detected;    performing settings so that the coin-like metal pieces can be received in cases where the characteristics of the coin-like metal pieces thus collected do not overlap the characteristics of the receivable coins and variations in the characteristics of the coin-like metal pieces thus collected are within specified values; and    generating a predetermined deposit signal when coin-like metal piece that is set as receivable is received.    
   
   
       12 . The method of controlling a coin metal processing device according to  claim 11 , wherein the metal setting means is provided in correspondence with a type of the receivable coin and generates a deposit signal for the type that corresponds with the operated metal setting means when the coin-like metal piece that is set as receivable is received.  
   
   
       13 . The method of controlling a coin metal processing device according to  claim 11 , further comprising the steps of: 
 storing and holding value information on at least one inserted coin; and    generating a deposit signal that corresponds with the value information that is stored and held when the coin-like metal piece that is set as receivable is received.    
   
   
       14 . The method of controlling a coin metal processing device according to  claim 13 , wherein the metal setting means is operated after a coin of a predetermined value is inserted, and generates a deposit signal that corresponds with value information on the coin of the predetermined value inserted before the metal setting means is operated when the coin-like metal piece that is set as receivable is received.  
   
   
       15 . The method of controlling a coin metal processing device according to  claim 13 , wherein the metal setting means is operated before a coin of a predetermined value is inserted, and generates a deposit signal that corresponds with value information on the coin of the predetermined value inserted after the metal setting means is operated when the coin-like metal piece that is set as receivable is received.  
   
   
       16 . The method of controlling a coin metal processing device according to  claim 13 , further comprising the step of performing setting to permit the reception of one coin-like metal piece at the time of one sales operation.  
   
   
       17 . The method of controlling a coin metal processing device according to  claim 13 , further comprising the step of performing setting to permit the reception of a plurality of coin-like metal pieces at the time of one sales operation.  
   
   
       18 . The method of controlling a coin metal processing device according to  claim 11 , further comprising the step of canceling the set state where a coin-like metal piece can be received upon detecting a fact that a return lever has been operated for a predetermined time within a predetermined time after the metal setting means is operated.